Stroud

Stroud's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in work life.

The population passed 110,000

In the 10 years leading up to the latest census, the population of Stroud increased by 4.5%, from just under 108,000 to 113,000.

The addition of almost 4,900 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Stroud was home to, on average, 1.7 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Rise in rate of self-employment

This area saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of self-employed people.

Across the region, only South Hams (from 15% to 17%) and Mendip (from 12% to 14%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of self-employed people.

During this period, Stroud went from having the 13th-highest to the twelfth-highest percentage of self-employed people out of 309 English local authority areas.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) people aged 16 to 74 in Stroud said they were self-employed, compared with 11% in 2001. The percentage that were employed decreased from 55% to 55%.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

More adults are separated from partners

This area saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Across the region, only Isles of Scilly (from 8.4% to 11%) and East Devon (from 10.0% to 12%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner.

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

During this period, Stroud went from having the 24th-highest to the 11th-lowest percentage of people who had divorced or separated out of 309 English local authority areas.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) people aged 16 and over in Stroud said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner, compared with 10% in 2001. The percentage that said they were married decreased from 57% to 53%.

The proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner was lower than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that that said they had divorced or broken up with a married or civil partner across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Fall in social renting

This area saw the South West's third-largest fall in the proportion of socially rented homes.

Across the region, only Plymouth (from 21% to 19%) and Forest of Dean (from 14% to 12%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of socially rented homes.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households in Stroud lived in social housing, compared with 14% in 2001. The percentage of privately rented homes increased from 7.2% to 12%.

The rate of social housing was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Fewer people worked long hours

The percentage of employed people in Stroud working more than 49 hours in the week before the census decreased from 14% to 10% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under 1 in 30 (3.2%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked less than 16 hours the previous week, compared with 2.1% in 2001.

The proportion of people working long hours fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 13% in 2001 to 10% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 13% to 10%.

Long hour working in Stroud decreased by 3.5 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Stroud, the South West and England that said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Stroud residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.2% to 4.3% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 71% in 2001. The percentage of Stroud residents that described their health as fair decreased from 22% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 5.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Stroud decreased by 2.9 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Stroud, the South West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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